Nolan Road Recreation Area - Jacksonville, FL
Nolan Road Recreation Area in Jacksonville, FL, is a wonderful dog park offering pet-friendly trails and scenic woodsy views perfect for dog owners looking for a peaceful outdoor experience. This park features a lengthy paved trail that is ideal for bicyclists, walkers, and dog-friendly hiking, with shaded areas under a lovely canopy that provide a comfortable environment for pets and their owners. The park is wheelchair accessible and great for families with children, making it a versatile spot for all visitors.
Unique to Nolan Road Recreation Area is its location adjacent to the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail, providing a serene setting with picnic tables and a covered pavilion for breaks. While there is no parking or restroom facilities directly at the park, it is accessible by foot, horseback, or bicycle, emphasizing its natural and secluded atmosphere. Leashed dogs will enjoy the variety of trails, including the scenic Dunns Farm trail with its mini waterfalls and elevation changes, making it a top choice for dog-friendly hiking near Jacksonville.
FAQ for Nolan Road Recreation Area in Jacksonville Florida:
- Is the park wheelchair accessible? Yes, the park has a wheelchair accessible parking lot.
- Are dogs allowed off-leash at this park? Dogs must be leashed while on the trails and park area.
- Is there a fenced area for dogs? Yes, there is a fenced-in field near a covered pavilion that dogs can enjoy.
- Is there shade or shelter available? Yes, there is a covered pavilion with picnic tables providing shade and shelter.
- Are there benches or seating areas for owners? Yes, there are picnic tables available under a covered pavilion for seating and rest.
- Are restrooms available for owners? No, there are no restrooms available at this park or parking location.
- Are there walking or hiking trails connected to the park? Yes, the park is accessible via several trails including Dunns Farm trail, Pioneer trail, and Crosscut trail.
- Is there a playground or activities for kids nearby? Yes, the park is good for kids and has kid-friendly hikes.
- Are picnics or BBQs allowed? Picnicking is allowed as there are picnic tables and a pavilion, but there is no specific mention of BBQs.
- Where is the best place to park? There is no parking area for cars directly at the park; it is only accessible by foot, horseback, or bicycle via the trail.
- Is the park regularly cleaned and maintained? Yes, the trails and park are very well maintained and safe.
- Are there other dog parks or trails nearby? Yes, it is adjacent to the Jacksonville Baldwin Rail Trail which offers additional trail options.
Reviews
Park with good facilities and a large playground. Area with tables and a large lawn. Quiet area.
This was a great stop for us on our 23 hour drive. We put our pup on a long leash and took a stroll through the sandy path. There’s not a lot of shade so I wouldn’t recommend it on a hot day. Your pup could definitely burn it’s paws. One trash by the entrance. The map showed bathrooms but they weren’t near us. On a cool afternoon this would make for a good walk if you have boots. The sand has a lot of red ants so no stopping!
The map at the entrance needs an update. Trails dont match whats on AllTrails. But this is a cool spot. A lot of flat land but once you get out to where the Pioneer trail starts there quite a bitnof elevation change. Our 7.5 mile walk saw 290 feet of elevation gain.
We have not had the chance to do most of the trails but the few hours we have been on the trails so far have been very enjoyable. We are looking forward to spending a full day hiking the trails.
Dunn’s Farm trail is always one of our favorite short loops. Just enough elevation gain, mini water falls and scenery to make a beautiful Florida hike.
This parking location is a good starting point for several trails- Dunns Farm trail (pink), Pioneer trail (blue) and Crosscut trail (green). The first section of the Dunns farm trail winds through a pine forest with lush palmettos. Very scenic so take some photos along the way. This first section of the Dunns farm trail is flat and just under one mile until the next parking area. So if you only have a short amount of time or less energy this is a nice spot to turn around and go back from where you started. If you keep going it will take you over bridges, a lookout spot to view the smaller waterfall with hills along the way. It’s all very quiet and scenic. Leashed dogs will enjoy it too.
Pros – Nice little park. It’s clean and open. It feels very safe and the picnic area is large and covered. The playground structure is large with lots of slides and levels. It’s easy to see multiple kids as they play (no hiding spots or corners) and it also has several benches.Cons – the playground structure is made of metal so it’s gotten rusty and it gets very hot. It’s obvious the landscaping hasn’t been kept up as well. The interstate noise is also very loud.All in all it’s a nice little park and my kids enjoyed it.
This park is always well kept. There is a playground and lots of open space. There is also a pavilion with picnic tables and an outdoor charcoal grill. Great place to take the kids, walk the dog, or have a picnic. Park floods occasionally at high, so it can be very wet at times.